Shri Parshottam Rupala, Hon’ble Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India visited ICAR-CCARI, Goa

Hon’ble Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying visited ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CCARI), Goa today. He was accompanied by Dr. Pramod Sawant, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Shri Filipe Neri Rodrigues, Minister for Fisheries and Water Resources Department, Govt. of Goa, Shri J.N. Swain, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Dr O. P. Chaudhary, Joint Secretary (NLM/PC) and Shri J. Balaji, Joint Secretary (Marine Fisheries). Dr. Parveen Kumar, Director, ICAR-CCARI extended a warm welcome to all the dignitaries. Hon’ble Minister took stock of Institute activities, visited dairy cattle unit, eco-friendly wastewater treatment facility and appreciated the efforts being taken by the Institute in enhancing animal and fisheries production. A tree plantation was done by the minister followed by inauguration of newly developed Fodder Museum which boasts of growing 35 different fodder species suitable for the coastal region and can act as a live demonstration unit for farmers.

Union Minister also Chaired a meeting which was organized to create awareness about benefits of revised and realigned schemes of DAHD, Govt of India. Dr. Lipi Sairiwal, Asst. Commissioner (AH) demonstrated the functioning of NLM and AHIDF portals. Dr. Parveen Kumar, Director, ICAR-CCARI, moderated an interactive session with farmers, entrepreneurs, ICAR scientists, state officials and representatives from dairy federation. Issues related to subsidies, bank procedure, saltwater intrusion, animal diseases etc. were raised. All the issues were answered and wherever necessary it was taken note by government officials for further necessary action. During the meeting, Union Minister highlighted benefits of the revised schemes for creating entrepreneurship in the field of animal husbandry and fisheries. Chief Minister, Dr. Pramod Sawant highlighted the measures taken by state government for the benefits of farmers and motivated them to take advantage of these schemes. Shri Filipe Neri Rodrigues stressed upon the cage culture and highlighted the need for a detailed study regarding how to introduce cage culture without affecting the tourism sector. Shri J.N. Swain highlighted the schemes of the government and scope of aquaculture which has a potential in coastal regions because of high rainfall. Shri J. Balaji presented the fisheries schemes and programs for the benefits of farmers. Dr O. P. Chaudhary, spoke on revised schemes of the Department of Animal Husbandry and dairying. Meeting was followed by a press conference in which Union Minister and Chief minister spoke about Central and State government achievements and efforts towards development of the Animal Husbandry and Fisheries sector.